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Library & Archives

The library and archives promote the exploration of the museum’s collections and the world of art and provide easy access to resources to support research, discovery, and knowledge creation.

Library

Founded alongside the museum in 1876, the library’s comprehensive collection includes more than 285,000 items spanning from the 1400s to today, including rare books, auction and exhibition catalogs, and artists files.

Visiting Info/Alerts

The museum strives to be a safe, enjoyable place for all its guests. For now, the library is open by appointment. Email library@philamuseum.org to schedule an appointment, ask a reference question, or to receive more information about the library. You can also view the service updates page for more information, or check the digital publications via LibGuides.

[object Object]
2525 Pennsylvania Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Directions

Open by appointment only

Hours
  • Monday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, Closed
  • Sunday, Closed

Archives

Our archives capture and preserve the museum’s institutional history since the museum’s founding in 1876 and include the personal papers and manuscript collections of people related to the museum.

Visiting Info/Alerts

Update November 19, 2024

The Arcadia Special Collections Reading room will be closed to all patrons December 16, 2024 – January 10, 2025. Reference services from the Philadelphia Museum of Art Archive – including scanning – will be unavailable during this period. Scan requests must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. EST Friday, November 22, 2024 for delivery on Friday, December 13, 2024. Appointment and scanning request processing will resume the week of January 13, 2025.

The Arcadia Special Collections Reading Room is open by appointment only. Please contact archives@philamuseum.org at least three weeks prior to your desired appointment date.

Please refer to the Using the Archives section below for continuous updates about our access policies and procedures.

Things to Know

The archives collect, organize, and preserve historic records pertaining to the museum and its collection. These materials include:

  • Institutional, departmental, and directors’ records
  • Manuscripts, personal papers, photographs, and scrapbooks
  • Notable collections include the Alexina and Marcel Duchamp Papers, Arensberg Archives, Julien Levy Gallery Records, Fiske Kimball Records, and the Young-Mallin Archive

[object Object]
2525 Pennsylvania Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Directions

Open by appointment only

Hours
  • Monday, Closed
  • Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Friday, Closed
  • Saturday, Closed
  • Sunday, Closed

Research Resources

Image Rights & Requests

The museum provides this website and the images presented here as part of its educational and public-service mission.

Users may access and download images of works on this website, except where restricted from download, without seeking separate authorization from the museum. Email library@philamuseum.org to request an image of a work that is restricted from download or is not currently online, or to request digital files in sizes or formats beyond those offered through the website.

Please note that it is the user’s responsibility to identify and obtain any necessary third-party permissions, including but not limited to rights clearances, prior to using images provided by the museum, either on this website or otherwise. The museum does not warrant that use of any images of works displayed on its website or provided to a user will not infringe the rights of third parties.

The museum asks that users aware of any rights information associated with an object, archival item, or image displayed on this website please contact the museum at library@philamuseum.org.

For any user who has image-related questions, please see the Terms of Use and FAQ sections of our website.

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